Can you delve into a little more detail with the ATM picture? I am particularly confused about why it would evoke feeling of scorn but to be honest I am a little fuzzy on the pride aspect too. I imagine its because I am a yank, but the first thing that I thought of when I saw that photo is "why am I looking at the protectee standing still on the street and the only security detail I see has his back to (what seems to be the) main street so he can look down a side road?"
The picture shows the President queuing behind a member of the public to use the ATM.
As far as I know he's not required to do this, of course. He could have someone go for him etc.
In the UK it's very unlikely the Head of State would queue for an ATM and people who prefer the pageantry, pomp and ceremony of Royalty might feel this kind of behaviour demeans the office and is not worthy of a HoS. On the other hand, people holding more republican values might feel proud of their choice in electing a person who lives as they do.
I hadn't noticed the security thing. Ireland is neutral, guns are stringently controlled and no existing paramilitary group has a motive to assassinate the President. The security is probably there to mitigate the slightly increased risk of a 'lone nut' attack and not much else.
Thanks for the response. I was afraid I was wading into a mine field of politics that I did not understand. After reading your response I think that this is not a uniquely Irish predicament; I think this is an example of a universally "polarizing" question in any modern democracy. GWB was especially good at playing up the populist "a guy you would want to have a beer with" angle. Personally it has always been a non-issue to me. PotUS is not just like me or my friends and family and respectfully I will submit that your president does not live just like you do. I have never had a security detail escort me to the ATM and I cant imagine anyone would take my picture if they saw me standing in front of the ATM.
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Can you delve into a little more detail with the ATM picture? I am particularly confused about why it would evoke feeling of scorn but to be honest I am a little fuzzy on the pride aspect too. I imagine its because I am a yank, but the first thing that I thought of when I saw that photo is "why am I looking at the protectee standing still on the street and the only security detail I see has his back to (what seems to be the) main street so he can look down a side road?"
Sure.
The picture shows the President queuing behind a member of the public to use the ATM.
As far as I know he's not required to do this, of course. He could have someone go for him etc.
In the UK it's very unlikely the Head of State would queue for an ATM and people who prefer the pageantry, pomp and ceremony of Royalty might feel this kind of behaviour demeans the office and is not worthy of a HoS. On the other hand, people holding more republican values might feel proud of their choice in electing a person who lives as they do.
I hadn't noticed the security thing. Ireland is neutral, guns are stringently controlled and no existing paramilitary group has a motive to assassinate the President. The security is probably there to mitigate the slightly increased risk of a 'lone nut' attack and not much else.
Thanks for the response. I was afraid I was wading into a mine field of politics that I did not understand. After reading your response I think that this is not a uniquely Irish predicament; I think this is an example of a universally "polarizing" question in any modern democracy. GWB was especially good at playing up the populist "a guy you would want to have a beer with" angle. Personally it has always been a non-issue to me. PotUS is not just like me or my friends and family and respectfully I will submit that your president does not live just like you do. I have never had a security detail escort me to the ATM and I cant imagine anyone would take my picture if they saw me standing in front of the ATM.